Moving a safe is a big job and should be taken seriously. You will need to have strong people to help you move it, the correct moving equipment, a plan for how to move it successfully, and a vehicle to load it onto. For optimal results, follow these important tips to move your safe:

Step 1. After prepping your safe for transport, be sure to close the door and lock it in place. If the doors to your safe accidentally open during transport, it could cause a lot of damage – to you and your helpers, to other belongings or your property, and even to itself.

Step 2. Your safe may appear indestructible, but trust us, it can be damaged during a move. This being said, use moving blankets to completely wrap your safe; ensure no parts are visible. Then, using packing tape, moving straps or rope, secure the blankets in place.

Step 3. With the help of your moving buddies, slowly tilt the safe and slide a heavy-duty dolly underneath the bottom. This step should be performed with extreme caution. One slip or misstep and someone could get hurt.

Step 4. Once your safe is on the dolly, you will need to secure it in place. Do this by wrapping the entire body of the safe with straps or rope, fastening it tightly and securely to the dolly. It is vital that the safe remains firmly attached to the moving dolly at all times, so before continuing to the next step, double-check your work.

Step 5. All of your strength will need to be used during this step, so get your muscles ready. After double-checking to ensure your safe is securely attached to the moving dolly, tilt back the two-wheeler so the full weight of the safe is balanced on the wheels.

Step 6. As you begin to slowly roll the dolly, have at least three of your helpers support the safe. You may also want to assign someone to walk a few steps ahead of you in order to warn you of potential trouble along the way (bumps, cracks, etc.). During this time, no one should make any sudden or unexpected movements. Doing so could confuse others, or even throw them off balance. Sharp turns or bumps should also be avoided if possible because it could cause the safe to fall off the dolly.

Step 7. If you’ve managed to transport your safe to the awaiting moving vehicle, you will then need to lower the loading ramp. This way you can wheel your safe up the ramp and into the vehicle where it will remain until arriving at your destination.

Step 8. After loading the safe, strap it against one of the vehicle’s sides, securing it as tightly as possible. Remember, the more securely you strap your safe to the inside of your moving vehicle, the better the chance it will survive the many bumps and turns on the road. Be sure to use as many straps and ropes as necessary to achieve complete immobilization during transport.

Step 9. Once arriving at your new home, you will need to repeat the above steps in reverse order.

Don’t forget. Safety is your number one priority when moving a safe. If you are not 100% certain you are up to the challenge, turn to experienced professionals that can help you get the job done.

Moving to a new home is no small task. Instead, it is a process that involves an interconnected series of moving-related jobs that serve one main goal: to get you, your family and everyone’s belongings successfully from Point A to Point B. Sure, some moving tasks are easy, but others are much more difficult. A problem can lead to damage of certain possessions and injury to yourself or those helping you. It can also cause large amounts of stress and irritation. One example of a difficult moving task is moving a safe. No matter their size or what they contain, moving a safe is a challenging job. So how do you tackle it?

First, you need to focus on safety. When moving any object, safety is important. When moving an object that is heavy and awkward, the importance of safety escalates and should be of utmost concern. Say, for example, that you own a huge high security commercial safe. Typically, this type of safe can weigh up to 500 pounds or more! When combining this extraordinary weight with your safe’s large dimensions, moving it can be both hard and dangerous. Under these circumstances, hiring professional movers is a good idea. One that we strongly suggest. But what if you can’t afford to hire professional movers to help you or you can’t find reliable movers you trust? Or, perhaps, you are just one of those individuals who insist on doing things themselves. Whatever the reason may be, before taking on the mighty job of moving your safe, there are some steps to take first:

Measure. The first thing to do when planning on moving a safe is to measure it. Knowing the dimensions and weight of your home or office safe is the only way movers will know what type of moving equipment to lend you. To find the specific data for your safe, check the Internet or the instruction manual.

Secure the proper moving equipment. If you want to master the task of moving your safe, you will need to have the correct moving equipment to get the job done. For this particular job, you will need to use a heavy-duty appliance dolly (or hand truck). You will also need some supporting straps (or a very long rope) in order to secure your safe once it is loaded onto the dolly. It is also a good idea to have a number of thick moving blankets on hand in order to protect the safe from damage during transport.

Empty your safe. While it’s not an absolute must to empty your safe before moving it to a new location, we do suggest it. Due to the unusual movements the valuables inside your safe will be subjected to during transport, it is a good idea to remove these items before beginning the moving procedure. This way nothing risks being damaged. Emptying your safe is an especially good idea if it is a heavy-duty gun safe. Not only could your guns be damaged during transport, but why risk a safety issue if you can easily avoid it? Once you have removed items from your safe, be sure to pack them securely in a separate box or container.

Confirm help. Whether you hired professional movers to move your safe, or decided to gather some of your strongest friends to help you, it’s a very good idea to confirm that your helpers will indeed show up as planned. Under no circumstances should you ever attempt to move a heavyweight safe by yourself. We cannot stress this enough! Doing so risks costly damage to your property, along with serious personal injury. So be sure your hired helpers really will show up on the big day.

Dress correctly. We know clothing and footwear are probably the least of your concerns when moving, but trust us – they matter. When picking out your clothes for moving day, it’s important to choose items that will provide comfort and protection for your body. Avoid baggy clothes and jewelry that may get caught on something and compromise safety. When deciding on footwear, choose a comfortable pair that is closed-toe. They should also provide good traction in all situations.

Another thing to ensure you wear when moving your safe (and other items) is work gloves. Investing in a high-quality pair of work gloves will not only protect your hands and fingers but also allow for a better grip.

Secure a moving van or truck. In order to transport your safe from Point A to Point B, you will need to use a moving van or durable pickup truck. Whatever vehicle you choose, ensure it is equipped with a loading platform to make the process both easier and safer for everyone involved.